Prosthetic devices and, more particularly, modular myoelectric prosthesis components and related methods, are described. In one embodiment, a hand for a prosthetic limb may comprise a rotor-motor; a transmission, comprising a differential roller screw; a linkage coupled to the transmission; and at least one finger coupled to the linkage. In one embodiment, a component part of a wrist of a prosthetic limb may comprise an exterior-rotor motor, a planetary gear transmission, a clutch, and a cycloid transmission. In one embodiment, an elbow for a prosthetic limb may comprise an exterior-rotor motor, and a transmission comprising a planetary gear transmission, a non-backdrivable clutch, and a screw.

A robotic hand includes a palm, a thumb and four fingers that are connected to the palm; a first driving assembly to drive the thumb to rotate, a second driving assembly and a third driving assembly to respectively drive two of the four fingers to rotate; and a fourth driving assembly to drive the other two of the four fingers to rotate. The first driving assembly, the second driving assembly, the third driving assembly, and the fourth driving assembly are received within the palm.

A thumb structure includes a proximal phalanx, a distal phalanx rotatably connected to one end of the proximal phalanx, a fixing member connected to the proximal phalanx through a first ball joint, a linking member having opposite ends that are connected to the distal phalanx and the fixing member through a second ball joint and a third ball joint, a first actuating assembly to drive the proximal phalanx to swing in a direction of a first degree of freedom, and a second actuating assembly to drive the proximal phalanx to swing in a direction of a second degree of freedom.

A force sensing device for use in a robotic finger including: a first segment, the first segment having a first joint at a first end thereof; a second segment, the second segment being connected to the first segment by a second joint; and a third segment, the third segment being connected to the second segment by a third joint; and torque sensor for sensing the torque at each of the joints when a force is applied to the third segment. The first, second and third joints are disposed within the same plane and are disposed in a triangular arrangement.

A gripping apparatus includes a palm member; a plurality of finger members configured to couple to the palm member, each of the plurality of finger members comprising a plurality of phalange members arranged in series along a longitudinal axis of the finger member, each phalange member being formed of an elastomer; a multilayer finger membrane configured to encapsulate the plurality of phalange members, the multilayer finger membrane being formed of multiple material layers, including a strain limiting layer configured to limit the multilayer finger membrane from stretching; and a coupling end portion configured to couple to the palm member and includes an opening configured for fluid communication with a vacuum system, wherein each of the plurality of finger members is configured to bend based on vacuum pressure actuation generated by the vacuum system via the opening of the coupling end portion of the finger member.

A touch sensation sensor is mounted to a hand part of a robot and includes: an obtaining means, obtaining at least one of visual sensation information, which is target object information relating to a target object operated by using the hand part, and touch sensation information, which is the target object information at a time when the target object operated by using the hand part is gripped; and a control device, changing a sensitivity mode of the touch sensation sensor in accordance with the target object information that is obtained.

A gripper for gripping a workpiece includes: a base; at least one middle segment pivotally connected to the base; a distal segment pivotally connected to the at least one middle segment; at least one actuator disposed within the base; an adducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the at least one actuator and a distal end attached to the distal segment, the at least one actuator being configured for linearly and nonrotationally moving the proximal end of the adducting tendon; and an abducting tendon having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end attached to the distal segment, wherein the middle segment and the distal segment are configured for gripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a first direction and ungripping the workpiece as the at least one actuator moves in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

A mechanical hand mimics a human hand having similar degrees of freedom and sensory abilities while appearing visually similar to human hand. The mechanical hand comprises a mechanical hand skeleton and resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin that fully encloses the mechanical hand skeleton. The mechanical hand skeleton may advantageously be molded directly into the resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin such that the hand appears, moves, and feels very similar to a real human hand. The mechanical hand may have applications in robotics, for example as an end-of-arm tool or end effector, or may have other applications. Robotic applications may include prosthetics applications.

The present disclosure relates to protecting fragile members of robots from damage during fall events. In response to detecting a fall event, a fragile member of a robot can be actuated to a defensive configuration to avoid or reduce damage. An actuatable protective member can be actuated to protect a fragile member to avoid or reduce damage to the fragile member. Actuatable protective members can be dedicated protective members, or can be other members of the robot which serve different functionality outside of a fall event but act as a protective member during a fall event.

A robot includes elbows connecting forearms rotatably to upper arms with two rotational degrees of freedom. The elbow includes: an elbow joint connecting the forearm and the upper arm with two rotational degrees of freedom; an elbow drive main link; an elbow drive auxiliary link; a forearm-side main link attaching unit attached with one end of the elbow drive main link with two rotational degrees of freedom, and provided in the forearm; an elbow-drive-main-link-side auxiliary link attaching unit attached with one end of the elbow drive auxiliary link with two rotational degrees of freedom, and provided on the elbow drive main link; and two linear actuators for moving two upper-arm-side link attaching units each attached with the other end of either the elbow drive main link or the elbow drive auxiliary link with two rotational degrees of freedom, and provided so as to be movable along the upper arm.